News| Durkan: Huge questions over Health resource

Durkan: Huge questions over Health resource

SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has welcomed an allocation to the Department of Health from the Confidence and Supply arrangement. Mr Durkan has said huge questions now exist over a pay increase for frontline staff and pressures across Trust areas.

He said:

“Extra resource for the Health Service is always a welcome development. Our doctors, nurses and other staff have been working themselves to exhaustion to keep the health service going over the last number of years with little recognition or reward.

“The money has now, at long last, been made available for a pay increase for frontline staff. But my understanding is, critically, that it is dependent on political agreement here. That means without a Health Minister, there will be no allocation to staff who have stretched themselves to breaking point to cover the failings of politicians.

“The DUP and Sinn Féin should come forward now and say which issue is more important than the long overdue pay increase for nurses and doctors treating the sick and vulnerable. We are now in the incredible situation where parties are refusing to talk to each other, and all the while public sector workers are suffering.”